With 128 gifts from as far away as Hanover, Maryland, and Alexandria, Virginia, we met our $250,000 challenge goal and raised a total of$509,023.60 for our long-term recovery efforts.

Most of the gifts came from Washington and the largest number were for $100 or less. But one gift was for an astonishing $100,000 and several were for tens of thousands of dollars. Many gifts were from faith-based organizations: Grace City Church of Wenatchee, Brewster Seventh Day Adventist Church, the Upper Columbia Conference of Seventh Day Adventists, and North Creek Presbyterian Church, in particular, made sizable donations in the final days of the campaign, putting us over the top. No gift was too small and all gifts counted double, thanks to our anonymous donor match.

Together with the efforts of our amazing volunteers (we've had 678 to date), the funds will be used to rebuild homes for those who lost them in last year's wildfires and lack the resources to rebuild on their own. Seven of those homes are already under construction; four more will be started as soon as building permits are issued; and 15 more are slated for Phase Two--which will require a total of $1.5 million to fully fund.

So, although our matching campaign has ended, our fundraising needs continue. If you haven't had a chance to give it's not too late! Click to go directly to our secure online giving page. All gifts are completely tax-deductible through the fiscal sponsorship of the Community Foundation of North Central Washington.

And one more thing: Thank you for helping us demonstrate that, together, we're stronger than fire.

(Prefer to donate by check? Please mail your contribution to the Community Foundation of North Central Washington (with CCLTRG written in the memo line), 9 S. Wenatchee Ave., Wenatchee, WA 98801)